Want This New Invention? The Wello Water Wheel

There are people who out there who will tell you not to reinvent the
wheel. However, sometimes the wheel needs to be reinvented -- with a
different purpose and to help those who don't have access to the same
wheel as the rest of us do. The Wello Water Wheel is a new take on the
wheel and it is out the change the world -- the Third World, that is.

African Women Carrying Water (circa 1910) (Public Domain Image)

For many decades, the image of a woman in the Third World getting water for her home has been that of her carrying a large vessel on her head. These women often have to travel long distances and one false step can be devastating. People around the world have been working on water solutions for the people of these countries.

Wello's Water Wheel is designed to allow this chore to be a bit easier in the form of transport and the amount that can be transported in a single trip -- and without the neck-crushing aspect. The wheel holds 50 liters of water and can be pushed along a road or path with the ease of a wheelbarrow. it is also sturdy and durable to make it able to handle rough terrain.

The Wello Whater Wheel (Image via Wello)

Wello is a United States social venture working on ways to deliver clean water to impoverished countries and communities around the world. Their current goal is to deliver 10-20,000 wheels to people a year. The idea was developed with the input from villagers in India.

The ultimate design for the water wheel is for it to resemble a traditional matka. A matka is a low, round, glazed, earthenware vessel used in Indian kitchens for food storage.

The wheel is made of human safe plastic. Another feature of the design of the wheel is that it is able to prevent recontamination of the water at the point of use.

The Wello Whater Wheel (Image via Wello)

While the Water Wheel was designed with women in mind, the company was pleasantly surprised to find that men like the wheel, see it as a tool, and are more likely to share the load of water collection. This frees women to spend time on other necessities of family life.

The wheel will be manufactured in India to keep costs down so that it will be affordable for families to purchase one. After all, those people who need it most are the people who can least afford it.